Ball and cup game demonstrating properties of inertia

ABSTRACT

A lever is pivoted at one end near a playing surface while the opposite free end is held at some position above the playing surface. A ball is made to rest on the free end of the lever while a cup-shaped receptacle is adjustably positioned along its length. When the free end of the lever is released, the cup describes an arc while the ball falls in a separate, vertically downward, free fall path, due solely to the effect of gravity. If the receptacle is properly positioned, the described arc will intersect the free fall path and the ball will be received in the receptacle.

United States Patent 1191 Jacobs [4 1 May 14, 1974 BALL AND CUP GAME DEMONSTRATING PROPERTIES OF INERTIA [76] Inventor: Jimmy L. Jacobs, 3409 Turlane Dr.,

31, Hyattsville, Md. 20783 [22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 343,239

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/101, 35/19 R [51] Int. Cl A63b 71/02 [58] Field of Search.. 273/95 R, 96 R, 97, 101; 35/10 R, 19 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,572,401 2/1926 McGrath 273/101 1,568,340 l/1926 McGrath 273/101 3,669,451 6/1972 Welbourn 273/95 R 3,731,932 5/1973 Breslow 124/7 1,556,861 10/1925 McGrath 273/101 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assis ant.fia min rMer i Siskin [5 7] ABSTRACT A lever is pivoted at one end near a playing surface while the opposite free end is held at some position above the playing surface. A ball is made to rest on the free end of the lever while a cup-shaped receptacle is adjustably positioned along its length. When the free end of the lever is released, the cup describes an arc while the ball falls in a separate, vertically downward, free fall path, due solely to the effect of gravity. If the receptacle is properly positioned, the described are will intersect the free fall path and the ball will be received in the receptacle.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BALL AND CUP GAME DEMONSTRATING PROPERTIES OF INERTIA FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to games, and more particularly to a game of skill requiring a moving ball to be caught in a moving receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The prior art includes a multitude of patents directed to skill games wherein a participant manipulates apparatus to catch a ball in a moveable cup. Generally, these games depend upon imparting an upward force to a ball which gives the ball momentum. As a result,the ball describes a trajectory that may intersect a stationary or moveable receiver or receptacle.

One example of such a game is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,358. In this patent, a hand operated rocking member is used to impart upward momentum to a ball that is received by raised, adjacent receiving cups.

A second example of the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,451 which discloses a pivotal lever member having a rearward-portion and a forward-portion extending in opposite directions from a fulcrum. The lever forward-portion carries at least one projectile ball that is adapted to be catapulted in a generally parabolic trajectory that ends in a receiving cup mounted on the lever member. The intersection of the trajectory and the cup exists when a proper pivotal force is exerted on the lever.

Although these games operate satisfactorily to amuse and demonstrate physical principals to game participants, nonetheless, the game has limited flexibility because one need only learn the correct force that must be exerted on the lever or rocking member in order to achieve the object of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes an elongated member hereinafter called a lever that is pivotally mounted at one end and normally inclined upwardly toward the opposite end. An adjustably positioned cup may be moved along the intermediate length of the lever. A ball is placed in a notch formed at the upper end. Depending upon the location of the cup, as well as the mass distribution of the lever, a moment of inertia is defined. By releasing the upper end of the lever, the ball falls straight down while the cup on the lever describes an are. If the angular inclination of the lever and the position of the cup are correct, the path of the ball will intersect the arc of the cup and the ball will be received in the cup.

As will be appreciated, the present invention offers a number of variables that must be controlled and manipulated by a game participant before success is achieved. In this regard, the present invention offers a great deal of flexibility and extended skill requirements when compared to prior art games.

The above-mentioned objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the present invention as set up for playing.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lever portion shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top-plan view of the lever portion illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa second embodiment of the present invention which illustrates a plain lever and cup assembly that is used in conjunction with a ball during playing of the game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the figures and more particularly FIG. I thereof, the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Reference numeral l0g'enerally indicates the moveable portion of the game. A lever member 12 has an oblong slot 14 formed vertically therethrough. An elastomeric liner 16 lines the slot and provides a means for resiliently but adjustably mounting a cup-shaped receiver or receptacle 18. FIG. 3 shows a stem portion 20 extending from the bottom of the cup 18. The stem 20 is contacted by the confronting sides of the liner 14 thereby retaining the cup 18 in a preselected position until manual force is exerted against the cup to move it to another position.

As illustrated, the right end of the lever 12 has a hemispherical notch formed therein. The notch is designed to seat the ball 24 (FIG. 1) while the lever 12 is positioned at the start of a game. Although the notch need not be hemispherical it is critical that the surface area of the notch is sufficient to seat the ball. However, the extent of contact between the ball 24 and the notch 22 must be minimal so that release ofthe lever from the inclined position shown in FIG. 1 permits the ball 24 to fall straight down, as indicated by the vertical ball path 38, without interference from the lever member.

The left end of the lever 12 is pivitolly connected to the clevis assembly 26 that is mounted to the base plate 28. A fulcrum pin 30 connects the left end of the lever 12 to the clevis assembly 26.

Because the success or failure in achieving the aims of the present invention depend upon the angular inclination of lever 12, a back plate 32 is provided which articulates at right angles to the base plate 34. Angular gradations 36 are inscribed on the back plate 32 to provide reference angles to be experimented with by a participant.

In operation, FIG. 1 illustrates the initial position of the lever 12. The participant decides which angle of inclination the lever is to assume and he also positions the cup 18 within the oblong slot. The angular inclination of the lever 12 is maintained by the person holding the right end of lever 12. When this end is released, the lever 12 and the cup 18 describe an arc. Because of an inertial difference between the lever 12 and the ball 24, the lever 12 will seperate from the ball 24. Thus, as the cup I8 describes an arc, the ball 24 will fall straight downwardlydue to gravity. FIG. 1 illustrates the intersection between the arc of cup 18 and the vertical displacement of ball 24 as being'at point 39. Coincidently, this is shown as the horizontal position for the lever 12.

As will be appreciated, for any given location of cup 18, there will only be one point of simultaneous interthe cup 18 and the vertical path of ball 24 may be in space thus requiring the acquisition of a particular moment of inertia for the lever 12. This moment ofinertia,

or resistance to angular acceleration is varied by changing the position of the cup mass. Another way of achieving this variable moment of inertia is to provide sliding weights along the length of the lever 12 while the cup is positioned in fixed relationship to the lever.

Of course, the moment of inertia of lever 12 may be such that there is never a separation between ball 24 and its associated notch 22. When this occurs, the ball will not be received by the cup during play and as a result the player must make adjustments in the variables described. It has been the experience of those playing the present game that it is a difficult game requiring the acquisition of a great manipulative skill.

F IG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention which is generally indicated by reference numeral 40. As in the first embodiment, a lever 42 is provided which adjustably mounts a receptacle cup 46. However, in this particular embodiment, spaced holes 44 are provided along the length of the lever 42 to accomodate the stem portion (not shown) of cup 46. To guide the player, each of the holes 44 may have a number marked therealong, as indicated by reference numeral 48. A notch 50 is provided at the right end of the lever 42 to seat a ball such as 24.

In operation of the embodiment shown in H0. 4, a person holds the left end 52 of the lever 42 against some suitable support while raising the opposite end to the inclined position, as explained in connection with FIG. 1. A ball 24 remains seated in the notch 50 until the player releases the right end of the lever 42 causing pivotal displacement of the lever 42 as previously described.

It is to be emphasized that the embodiment of FIG. 4 operates identically to that described in connection with FIG. 1. However, the lever 42 must be positioned on a playing surface and held by the particpant rather than relying upon the pivot 26, of FIG. 1, in addition, the embodiment of FIG. 4 does not include a self contained base plate 28 nor a back guide plate 32.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of a game, it should be emphasized that the structure discussed constitutes an excellent demonstration for physics instruction. By using the device disclosed herein, the principles of inertia, moment of inertia, and

' gravity may be demonstrated.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described herein for obvious modifications will occur to means for pivotally mounting a first end of the lever to the base plate for permitting the second opposite end to be elevated with respect to the base plate;

receptacle means adjustably positioned along the length of the lever for receiving an object in play;

means located at the second end for removably seating the object therein while the lever is inclined upwardly;

release of the second end causing the receptacle means to describe an arc while the object separates from the seating means and falls in a downward vertical path in response to gravity;

simultaneous intersection between the arc and the vertical path resulting in receipt of the object in the receptacle means; and

a back plate articulating perpendicularly from the base plate and having position markings thereon aligned with the lever to guide a player in positioning the lever at a preselected incline.

2. The subject matter set forth in claim 1 wherein the length of the lever has an elongated slot formed therein for permitting adjustable positioning of the receptacle means.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein the slot is lined with an elastomeric liner to resiliently hold the receptacle means at a selected position.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein the length of the lever has a plurality of holes formed therealong for permitting insertion of the receptacle means at a preselected point along the lever.

5. The subject matter recited in claim 1 werein the seating means comprises a notch formed inwardly from the second end of the lever, the longitudinal dimension of the notch being large enough to support the object while being small enough to permit controlled separation of the object from the lever after the lever is released from its inclined position.

6. A game of skill comprising;

a base plate;

a lever;

means pivotally mounting a first end of the lever to the base plate for permitting the second opposite end to be raised above the base plate;

a cup mountable at a selected position along the length of the lever for receiving a ball;

a notch located at the second end of the lever for removably seating the ball therein while the second end is located above the base plate;

a back plate articulating perpendicularly from the base plate and having position markings thereon to guide a player in positioning the lever at a prese lected incline,

release of the second end causing the cup to describe an arc in a vertical plane while the ball responds to gravity alone and drops vertically downward, after separation from the notch;

simultaneous intersection between the are and the vertical path resulting in receipt of the ball in the cup. 

1. A game of skill comprising: a base plate; a lever; means for pivotally mounting a first end of the lever to the base plate for permitting the second opposite end to be elevated with respect to the base plate; receptacle means adjustably positioned along the length of the lever for receiving an object in play; means located at the second end for removably seating the object therein while the lever is inclined upwardly; release of the second end causing the receptacle means to describe an arc while the object separates from the seating means and falls in a downward vertical path in response to gravity; simultaneous intersection between the arc and the vertical path resulting in receipt of the object in the receptacle means; and a back plate articulating perpendicularly from the base plate and having position markings thereon aligned with the lever to guide a player in positioning the lever at a preselected incline.
 2. The subject matter set forth in claim 1 wherein the length of the lever has an elongated slot formed therein for permitting adjustable positioning of the receptacle means.
 3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein the slot is lined with an elastomeric liner to resiliently hold the receptacle means at a selected position.
 4. The structure of claim 1 wherein the length of the lever has a plurality of holes formed therealong for permitting insertion of the receptacle means at a preselected point Along the lever.
 5. The subject matter recited in claim 1 werein the seating means comprises a notch formed inwardly from the second end of the lever, the longitudinal dimension of the notch being large enough to support the object while being small enough to permit controlled separation of the object from the lever after the lever is released from its inclined position.
 6. A game of skill comprising; a base plate; a lever; means pivotally mounting a first end of the lever to the base plate for permitting the second opposite end to be raised above the base plate; a cup mountable at a selected position along the length of the lever for receiving a ball; a notch located at the second end of the lever for removably seating the ball therein while the second end is located above the base plate; a back plate articulating perpendicularly from the base plate and having position markings thereon to guide a player in positioning the lever at a preselected incline; release of the second end causing the cup to describe an arc in a vertical plane while the ball responds to gravity alone and drops vertically downward, after separation from the notch; simultaneous intersection between the arc and the vertical path resulting in receipt of the ball in the cup. 